US VISA renewal for Parents

 US VISA renewal for Parents
Step1:-
# Ask parents to send passport photo copy of  the following pages:- old US VISA page, first and last page of both old and new passports

# Ask parents to send work experience history-company and date of employment, dates of previous US visits. Also you would need grandparent's DOB and first and last name. If not certain, click "Do not know" button in DS-160.

Step2:-
# Fill one DS-160 per parent.
https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx
Note in DS-160 form it is DD/MM/YYYY format but in Interview scheduling online form it is MM/DD/YYYR format. So fill parents date of birth information cautiously else you may have to re do the whole application form again and pay the fees all over again.

Step3:-
# Login in the link below to create a profile

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-visarenew.asp

Then schedule interview by filling interview application. Based on your answers it will automatically give you a waiver for in person interview if applicable.
In the same application we can add spouse and children in 3 rd page giving their DS-160 number.

Step4:-
#In the online profile page above choose payment option as NEFT for example, then note account info to transfer fund and transfer online using NRI account or with any India account.
Give it a day and return back to online page next day. Receipt number will be auto populated next day after you choose " Use existing receipt" , then you will get a "Interview waiver confirmation letter" , choose printable version and print and send a scanned copy to parents.

Step5:-

# Fill I-134 form if you are sponsoring parents visit. Fill one I-134 per parent.

https://www.immihelp.com/forms/i-134.html

Scan and send all the below documents via email. If they have interview waiver, then parents can go to drop box location and submit all the documents and come back. We have option to either go pick-up in person or get the passports with Visa stamped delivered to our home.

Documents to be taken for the interview/drop box

# Interview waiver letter 
# DS-160 confirmation page -For Father

# DS-160 confirmation page - For Mother

# An email copy of fees payment confirmation

# Passport size photos of both parents-2 sets

# Original old and new passports of both parents

 

Supporting documents if person in US is sponsoring the visit 

# Affidavit of Support Form I-134 -For Father

# Affidavit of Support Form I-134- For Mother

# Invitation letter  written in word document 
# H1-B or Green Card photocopy

# DL photocopy
# Proof of employment  photocopy

# Paystubs  photocopy

# 3 months bank statement  photocopy

# Passport  photocopy 

# Birth certificate photocopy

Supporting documents if parents are doing self-sponsor

# Birth certificate of the child in US
# Current proof of income copies
# Tax payments copies
# Property or business ownership, or assets copies 

Skiing Tips and Tricks for beginners

SKIING TIPS AND TRICKS
 

Skiing is absolutely fun winter activity once you nail it. I always wanted to learn skiiing and gave it a shot in 2004 without taking any ski lessons nor did watch any beginner lessons in youtube and gave up thinking it is not my cup of tea. Later after 12 years I wanted give Skiing a honest try but this time I made it a point to take Ski lessons and also I watched quite a few Skiing beginner videos online before I hit the slopes and I got it after 3 days.
So my recommendations for Skiing are below:-
# Watch 4 to 5 you tube videos on skiing for beginners before you go take in-person lessons at the ski resort. 
# Warm up with stretch exercises before putting your skis on. Invest atleast 3 to 4 hours for the first 2 days as a beginner. Don’t get disappointed if you don’t learn it the first 2 days even after investing 3 to 4 hours, trust me 3rd day will be a charm. :)
# Learn to wear the ski boots nice and snug. Ski boots should be tight around the calf muscles so that it will be easy for you to maneuver the skis.
# First learn on bunny slopes, then get on the magic carpet, next go up the using tow rope and then the chairlifts.
# I wouldn't recommend using Ski poles for the first 2 days as a beginner for 2 reasons. One it will get on your way, two you might depend on that to stand and balance instead of learning to do it yourself. Ski poles are typically used for speeding.
# Walk to a flat snow surface and walk around with your ski boots and skis on for some time until you are comfortable with it.
# Before you get on magic carpet give 10 feet gap between you and the person in front of you. So that if you fall you will have enough room to get up without hurting yourself and others next to you. If the magic carpet is wet and icy, wait for a pitch black surface to roll, that way you won't slide back on the magic carpet.
# If you going to the tow rope keep your skis parallel and firm, then hold the tow rope hard and strong. Go up the hill in half bent position.
# Once you get home from skiing the first day, take a nice hot shower and apply some muscle relaxants to the areas that are sore, this will get you ready for the next day.
#Check for Ski resort ride buses from your location. They offer 1 day trip, rental pass etc. For NC check out http://slopeandsail.com/

SEVEN STEPS TO LEARN SKIING
Step1: Learn edging with skis on a flat snow surface. This will help you stand still without falling.
http://www.yourskicoach.com/glossary/SkiGlossary/Edging.html

Step2: Get to a small bunny slope and try sliding down with your knees bent and body forward (Remember goal keeper position). Be prepared to fall, yes it happens the first few times.
Check below link to learn getting up once you fall down 
http://www.mechanicsofsport.com/skiing/how_to_ski/getting_up.html

Step3: Learn to stop your skis. Make a wide snowplow stop/wedge/pizza stop, it comes with lot of practice. http://www.mechanicsofsport.com/skiing/how_to_ski/snowplough.html Later try the the hockey stop. http://www.mechanicsofsport.com/skiing/how_to_ski/hockey_stop.html
 
Step4: If you want to go slow on the slope make small wedge while sliding. If you want to go fast then keep your skis parallel to each other.

Step5: If you are on a slope and want to put your skis on, always keep your skis perpendicular to the slope. Then put the downhill ski first and then uphill ski. Once you put the downhill side of the ski make edging with it before putting on the second ski, so that you don't fall.

Step6: Learn to walk faster with skis, edge your skis and walk lifting one ski at a time and move forward sliding other ski side wards.

Step7: Once you know the basics you may now want to slide the slope making a zig zag move. To turn Right put pressure on your Left ski turning Right. To turn Left put pressure on your Right ski turning Left.
 
Things to buy and rent if you are a Skiing beginner: - 
# I would recommend investing on Face mask with nose cover, Ski helmet, Ski gloves, Snow pants and Ski socks.

# Rest of the stuffs like turtle neck shirt, workout leggings and Winter jacket use the ones you already have.

# Rent Ski boots, Skis and poles, wouldn't recommend investing on this until you are comfortable skiing big slopes.

HEAD TO TOE

# Ski head mask with magnetic nose mask (Can remove and put back the nose mask easily with gloves on as it is magnetic)

# Ski Helmet (Safety comes first) (You use this for biking and hiking as well)

# Optional: Ski Googles (As a beginner it is better not to use it, naked eyes give good view of the  path)

# Optional but recommended: Turtle neck sweater with camisole inside (The more warmer you stay the longer you will stay outdoors to enjoy skiing)

# Winter/Ski jacket

# Ski Gloves

# Optional but recommended:Workout Leggings (I believe this reduces knee injuries as it holds your knees nice and tight)

# Snow Pants with side zips all the way to the knee

# Ski Socks (Socks lengthy up to the knees)

# Ski Boots:- Don't buy this until you learn skiing. Better to rent it the first few times.

# Skis:- Don't buy this until you learn skiing. Better to rent it the first few times.

 # Ski Poles:- Don't buy this until you learn skiing. Better to rent it the first few times

Enjoy Winter, Happy Skiing!